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Chinese President Xi Jinping visited a satellite launch site in southwest China's Sichuan Province to convey his festive greetings to members of the Chinese military via a video telephone link on Saturday.

When an officer told Xi that she wanted to be the first female chief commander in China to issue countdown instructions, Xi responded by saying that taking on such a role is a great goal that demonstrates the advancement of women's rights in China. “I do hope you realise your goal at an early stage,” he concluded (see video above).

Xi then extended his own Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival (February 15-21 in 2018), greetings to officers and soldiers stationed on both the Xisha Islands, also known as the Paracel Islands, in the South China Sea and another satellite launch centre on the Chinese coast.

Officers at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre have carried out many renowned and successful launches, such as the Beidou navigation satellites and Chang’e lunar probes.

On Sunday, Xi visited a number of impoverished villages in the region to discuss poverty alleviation with local officials and villagers.